Willow by Cricbuzz launches documentary on cricketer Saurabh Netravalkar

The cricket streaming platform Willow by Cricbuzz, which is available in the United States and Canada, is launching its first original feature-length documentary, The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds.

The film premiers on 17 June on Willow TV, and the following day it will debut on Amazon Prime Video. Broader US distribution and an international rollout across India, South Asia, the UK, Australia and the Caribbean is planned for later this summer.

It’s produced by Academy Award winner Adam Leipzig (March of the Penguins). He said: “Saurabh represents a kind of determination and clarity that reaches far beyond cricket. Whether you know the sport or not, this is a story about persistence, identity and achieving something that once felt impossible. We want people to watch this film and understand why someone keeps fighting for a dream, even after setbacks, uncertainty and years away from the game. That’s what makes his story powerful.”

Directed by Pierre Friquet, The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds follows Netravalkar’s journey from a promising cricket player in India, before an unexpected setback derailed his international career.

It follows Netravalkar as he earns a master’s degree at Cornell University and builds a career as a lead engineer in Silicon Valley, before ultimately helping lead the United States to a historic victory over Pakistan during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Along the way, the film explores the setbacks, uncertainty and sacrifices that shaped his path, from falling short of his early cricket ambitions in India to rebuilding his life and rediscovering the sport thousands of miles from home.

“Telling this story means sharing parts of my life I’ve kept private, like the doubts, the moments when cricket felt impossible to hold onto, the sacrifices my family made so I could chase two dreams at once,” said Netravalkar. “If this film helps even one person believe they don’t have to choose between who they are and who they want to become, then opening up like this was worth it. That’s bigger than cricket, bigger than me.”

“For too long, cricket’s growth in America has been limited by how the sport is presented as something foreign or inaccessible,” adds Todd Myers, chief operating officer of Willow by Cricbuzz. “Saurabh’s story shows that cricket is already part of the American experience. This documentary is our first step in showing the human side of the sport, not just the game itself. We’re betting that great storytelling, not just great matches, will bring new audiences to cricket.”